BriSports briefs

Last update: November 13, 2007 - 10:59 PM

SOCCER

Swedish coach will lead U.S. women

Pia Sundhage of Sweden was hired to coach the U.S. women's soccer team as it prepares for next year's Olympics in Beijing.

American officials turned to a foreign coach for the first time after failing to win this year's World Cup. Sundhage, an assistant coach with Chicago during the World Cup, is familiar with many of the U.S. players, having coached in the WUSA during the league's three-year existence.

Sundhage (pronounced Soond-hahg-eh), a former captain of the Swedish national team, succeeds Greg Ryan, who compiled a 45-1-9 record but wasn't brought back after the U.S. finished third at the World Cup in September amid a goalie dispute that involved former Anoka star Briana Scurry.

• Seattle will join MLS beginning in 2009, the second addition to the league this year. The expansion makes Seattle the league's 15th club and follows the rebirth of the San Jose Earthquakes, who will start play in 2008.

GOLF

PGA drug-testing will begin in July

The PGA Tour plans to start testing for drugs next July after six months of an intensive education program. Penalties for a positive test will range from a one-year suspension for the first offense to a lifetime ban if a player is caught three times.

• The winner of next year's FedEx Cup golf title will receive $10 million immediately, instead of a deferred payment. It also was announced the Tour will take a two-week break next year to give players a chance to be fresh for the Ryder Cup, Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla in Kentucky.

FOOTBALL

Two Texas players commit to Gophers

The Gophers received verbal commitments from a pair of Dallas (Texas) Skyline teammates on Tuesday, according to the Rivals-based Gopherillustrated.com. Three-star linebacker Spencer Reeves and two-star athlete Troy Stoudermire gave the staff their commitments. Both players had a number of offers from BCS schools.

• Ball State 41, Toledo 20: Quarterback Nate Davis threw three touchdown passes as the Cardinals (6-5, 4-2 Mid-American) broke away from a 20-20 tie at the half and beat the Rockets (5-6, 3-4) in Muncie, Ind.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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